Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Topical Issue the Deputy submitted was fairly broad, and therefore the response is also broad and does not address the Deputy's specific questions. I will provide him with answers on the timeframe for the replacement of the book of quantum, the current status of the European Commission of investigation, and the dawn raid issue.

I do not disagree with what the Deputy is saying about this matter. Some of my family members are self-employed business people. This is a constituency issue which confronts every Member of this House and has been well documented. The Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach did a good job in shining a light on the insurance industry, as did some Deputies. Mr. Justice Frank Clarke's comments also point to where he believes this needs to go next.

The industry needs to take account of the comments of Oireachtas Members as well as the provisions of the Judicial Council Act enacted by the Government in co-operation with the main Opposition party. It must accept that the train is pulling into the station. The Deputy is correct regarding the level of profits being made. In my initial response, I outlined that the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, are keeping open minds on the issue and are remaining vigilant. All Deputies accept that there is no silver bullet, as noted by the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach in its report on the motor industry.

This is a major issue for many people, including returning emigrants. Many emigrants are returning from Australia or New Zealand to the Deputy's area of north Cork, to villages such as Kishkeam and Milford and Newtownshandrum. I too come from that part of the world. These issues must be resolved. The Minister and the Minister of State have given a commitment in that regard. I do not have direct responsibility for the issue. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, to liaise directly with the Deputy on the matters he has raised.

See this speech in context